Universal adapter system for a dynamic load carriage apparatus

ABSTRACT

Embodiments of universal adapter system including a receiver component having base portion configured to be coupled to a base belt worn by an individual and a locking mechanism which is operative to be engaged to a mounting bar of an adapter component that is secured to a dynamic load carriage apparatus, wherein the mounting bar is capable of a sliding action that compensates for a shift in load that is associated with the individual are disclosed. In operation, the receiver component may be engaged and disengaged from the adapter component while being worn by the individual using a single-handed operation.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This is a non-provisional application claiming benefit to U.S.provisional application Ser. No. 61/992,116 filed on May 12, 2014, andis herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.

FIELD

The present document relates generally to systems and methods for auniversal adapter having modular components that operatively couple abase belt to a dynamic load carriage apparatus attached to a protectivevest, and in particular to a universal adapter system having an adaptercomponent that is coupled to a receiver component and is capable of acompensating action whenever a shift in load occurs by an individualwearing the protective vest.

BACKGROUND

Many different types of tactical belts are worn by military personnel toprovide a platform that allows various types of accessories, such asholsters and weapons, to be easily attached or detached for use by theindividual. In some embodiments, the tactical base belt worn by anindividual may be designed to be coupled to a protective vest and/or aload-bearing pack, for example a backpack, such that the individual maycomfortably wear the protective vest and/or carry the backpack over longdistances and over hostile terrain.

There are many manufacturers that design and manufacture various typesof backpacks, protective vests and other load-bearing packs or tacticalwear designed for different types of tactical missions or purposes. Assuch, one type of backpack or protective vest from one manufacturer maybe needed for a particular phase of a mission, while another type ofbackpack or protective vest from another manufacturer is required for adifferent phase of the mission. Unfortunately, the multitude ofdifferent tactical base belts in combination with the different types ofbackpacks and other load-bearing packs or tactical wear available in themarket may make it difficult to find one kind of backpack or protectivevest that is compatible for engagement and mounting with a particulartype of tactical base belt since different types of backpacks and/orprotective vests from one or more manufacturers may not have an adapterarrangement that is compatible for mounting with a particular type oftactical base belt from a different manufacturer.

In addition, the individual may wear a dynamic load carriage apparatuscoupled to a protective vest worn by the individual that assists incompensating for the shift in weight that occurs when an individualassumes different types of body positions. Some embodiments of a dynamicload carriage system may include first and second stays which areoriented parallel to one another and are coupled to a protective vest;however, there does not exist a universal adapter system for universallycoupling the stays of the dynamic load carrier apparatus to a tacticalbelt worn by an individual.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the universal adaptersystem having a receiver component adapted for engagement with anadapter component for mounting a protective vest with a dynamic loadcarriage apparatus to a base belt worn by an individual;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the universal adapter system showing thereceiver component that is attached to the base belt prior to engagementwith the adapter component that is attached to the dynamic load carriageapparatus when mounting the protective vest to the base belt;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the receiver component coupled to thebase belt;

FIG. 4 is an assembled perspective view of the receiver componentengaged to the adapter component of the universal adapter system of FIG.1;

FIG. 5 is an exploded view of the universal adapter system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a side view of the receiver component prior to engagement withthe adapter component of the universal adapter system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a side view of the receiver component engaged with the adaptercomponent of the universal adapter system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the receiver component;

FIG. 9 is a front view of the receiver component;

FIG. 10 is a rear view of the receiver component;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the adapter component;

FIG. 12 is a rear view of the adapter component;

FIG. 13 is a front view of the adapter component;

FIG. 14 is a top view of the adapter component;

FIG. 15 is a bottom view of the adapter component;

FIG. 16 is an illustration showing one of the stays of the dynamic loadcarriage apparatus engaged to the adapter component of the universaladapter system;

FIG. 17 is an enlarged view showing the stay of the dynamic loadcarriage apparatus engaged to the adapter component of the universaladapter system;

FIG. 18 front view showing first and second stays of the dynamic loadcarriage apparatus engaged to the adapter component of the universaladapter system;

FIG. 19 is a front view of the protective vest showing the first andsecond stays of the dynamic load carriage apparatus engaged to theadapter component of the universal adapter system;

FIG. 20 is an enlarged front view of the adapter component coupled tothe receiver component and the dynamic load carriage apparatus whenmounting the protective vest to the base belt;

FIG. 21 is an enlarged front view showing the sliding action of theadapter component relative to the receiver component in one directionwhen a shift in load occurs; and

FIG. 22 is an enlarged front view showing the sliding action of theadapter component relative to the receiver component in an oppositedirection when a shift in load occurs.

Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding respectiveelements among the views of the drawings. The headings used in thefigures should not be interpreted to limit the scope of the claims.

DESCRIPTION

As described herein, embodiments of a universal adapter system provide amechanical mounting arrangement for securing various types ofload-bearing packs or tactical wear to a base belt, such as a tacticalbelt. In general, the universal adapter system allows different types ofload-bearing packs or tactical wear to be mounted to the same base beltregardless of the fact that each of the load-bearing packs and/ortactical wear may be from different manufacturers and incompatible formounting with a particular base belt from another manufacturer. In oneaspect, the universal adapter system includes an adapter componentsecured to a dynamic load carriage apparatus that is coupled to a loadcarrier or tactical wear in which the adapter component is specificallyconfigured to engage a corresponding receiver component secured to thebase belt for allowing various types of protective vests having adynamic load carriage apparatus to be mounted directly to the same typeof base belt. In addition, the adapter component is configured to bemechanically coupled to the receiver component to allow a sliding and/ortwisting action between the receiver component and the adapter componentwhen compensating for any shift in load that occurs.

Referring to the drawings, embodiments of a universal adapter system areillustrated and generally indicated as 100, in FIGS. 1-22. Referring toFIG. 1, one embodiment of a universal adapter system 100 includes areceiver component 114 secured to a base belt 104 worn around the waistof an individual and an adapter component 116 coupled to a dynamic loadcarriage apparatus 102 secured to a load carrier, such as a protectivevest 101, in order to mount the protective vest 101 to the base belt104. In operation, the receiver component 114 is secured to the basebelt 104 and is operable to be mechanically coupled to the adaptercomponent 116 such that a sliding and/or twisting action occurs by theadapter component 116 relative to the receiver component 114 whenever ashift in load occurs.

In some embodiments, the protective vest 101 may include a rear carrier106 and a front carrier 108 that are each configured to receive aballistic plate (not shown) therein for providing protection againstballistic projectiles. In some embodiments, the protective vest 101 mayalso include KEVLAR® alone or in combination with other fabrics having ahigh ballistic performance.

The dynamic load carriage apparatus 102 is operable to compensate forany shift in load that occurs as described above. In some embodiments,the dynamic load carriage apparatus 102 includes a first stay 112 and asecond stay 113 which are arranged in a parallel orientation relative toeach other for supporting and compensating for the shifting weight ofthe protective vest 101 and/or load bearing pack when the individualassumes different body positions. In one aspect, the first stay 112and/or the second stay 113 may move in a sliding action, bending action,rotating action and/or twisting action to compensate for the shiftingload of the load carrier. As a result of the compensating action of thefirst and second stays 112 and 113, the dynamic load carriage apparatus102 directs the weight of the load carrier substantially along the basebelt 104 and hips of the individual regardless of the body position ormovement undertaken by the individual. In some embodiments, the firststay 112 may define a first end portion 140 and a second end portion142, while the second stay 113 may also define a first end portion 144and a second end portion 146. As shown in FIGS. 18 and 19, the secondend portions 142 and 146 of the first and second stays 112 and 113 maybe coupled to a first attachment member 130 and a second attachmentmember 132, respectively, for attaching the dynamic load carriageapparatus 102 to the protective vest 101. As further shown, the firstend portions 140 and 144 of the first and second stays 112 and 113 maybe secured to the adapter component 116 as shall be discussed in greaterdetail below. In some embodiments, a first sleeve 164 may encase atleast a portion of the first stay 112 and a second sleeve 166 may encaseat least a portion of the second stay 113.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, in one arrangement of the universal adaptersystem 100 the receiver component 114 may be secured to the base belt104 and configured to be mechanically engaged and disengaged from theadapter component 116. In some embodiments, the adapter component 116may be secured to a load carriage apparatus 102, which is mounted to aprotective vest 101 such that disengagement of the adapter component 116from the receiver component 114 allows the base belt 104 to be decoupledfrom the protective vest 101. The base belt 104 may include an elongatedbelt body 110 defining an interior surface 118 and an exterior surface120 forming a first end 168 and a second end 170 that are securedtogether with a conventional buckle 172 as shown in FIG. 3. In someembodiments, the base belt 104 may be a tactical-type belt configured tobe worn around the waist of an individual and adapted to support theweight of a load carrier, although other types of belts arecontemplated.

In some embodiments, the belt body 110 may include one or more webbingsections 174 secured to the exterior surface 120 of the belt body 110with each webbing section 174 having one or more horizontal bands 176sewn or otherwise attached to the exterior surface 120 of the belt body110 through stitching lines 178. In addition, each horizontal band 176may extend in substantial parallel orientation relative to thelongitudinal axis of the belt body 110 with each horizontal band 176defining one or more vertically-oriented channels 175 formed between arespective horizontal band 176 and the exterior surface 120 of the beltbody 110. In some embodiments, the horizontal bands 176 may be formedintegral with the material of the belt body 110.

Referring to FIGS. 8-10, in some embodiments, the receiver component 114may include a base portion 121 having a locking mechanism 122 formechanically engaging and disengaging the receiver component 114relative to the adapter component 116. As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, thelocking mechanism 122 includes a retention arm 138 that cooperates witha rotatable biased arm 136. The retention arm 138 and the rotatablebiased arm 136 are operable to mechanically engage and disengage theadapter component 116 relative to the receiver component 114. Inparticular, the rotatable biased arm 136 is operative to rotate betweenan open position (FIG. 6) in which the adapter component 116 may beallowed to engage or disengage relative to the receiver component 114and a closed position (FIG. 7) in which the adapter component 116 issecured to the receiver component 116. In some embodiments, theengagement and disengagement of the universal adapter system 100 is a“click-in” and “click-out” operation to engage and disengage the adaptercomponent 116 from the receiver component 114 in either a hands-free orone handed operation by the individual wearing the protective vest 101and the base belt 104 as shall be discussed in greater detail below.

As shown, the base portion 121 defines a middle arm 125 having a firstside arm 127 defined on one side of the middle arm 125 and a second sidearm 129 defined on an opposite side of the middle arm 125 thatcollectively form an upper portion 139 and a lower portion 141 of thereceiver component 114. In some embodiments, the lower portion 141 ofthe middle arm 125 includes a first mounting member 161 and an oppositesecond mounting member 163 that each define a respective channelconfigured to receive respective ends of a rotating bar 135 (FIG. 8),which allows the rotatable biased arm 136 to rotate about the rotatingbar 135 at pivot point 186 (FIGS. 6 and 7) such that the rotatablebiased arm 136. As shown in FIGS. 5 and 8, a recess 155 is formedbetween the first mounting member 161 and the second mounting member 163of the middle arm 125 and defines a first plurality of openings 159 thatare arranged to be aligned with a second plurality of openings 157formed along a plate 153 secured behind the middle portion 125 of thebase portion 121 for receiving securing members 156 that secure theplate 153 to the recess 155. In this arrangement, the retention arm 138extends outwardly from the plate 153 and through the base portion 121 ina fixed position relative to the rotatable biased arm 136.

As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, in some embodiments the first side arm 127may define a lower retention portion 197 and an upper retention portion198, while the second side arm 129 also defines a lower retentionportion 199 and an upper retention portion 200, which are eachconfigured to engage respective channels 175 defined along one or moreof webbing portions 174 of the base belt 104 to secure the receivercomponent 114 to the base belt 104. In some embodiments, the baseportion 121 of the receiver component 114 may define any combination oflower and upper retention portions 197-200 to secure the receivercomponent 114 to the base belt 104. In some embodiments, the receivercomponent 114 may include a retainer portion 188 that defines an armforming a slot 183 (FIG. 8) to couple the receiver component 114 to theupper edge 196 of the base belt 104 as shown in FIG. 3.

As further shown, the rotatable biased arm 136 forms a first raisedportion 180 and a second raised portion 182 that collectively form achannel 124 configured to receive a mounting bar 128 of the adaptercomponent 116 therein when securing the receiver component 114 to theadapter component 116 as shown in FIGS. 4 and 8. As illustrated in FIG.8, a passage 190 is formed through first raised portion 180 andcommunicates with and is in perpendicular orientation relative to thechannel 124 defined by the rotatable biased arm 136. The passage 190 isconfigured to permit the retention arm 138 to extend outwardly throughthe first raised portion 180 to block access to the channel 124, therebypreventing the mounting bar 128 from disengaging from the channel 124 ofthe rotatable biased arm 136 when the locking mechanism 122 is in theclosed position.

As further shown in FIGS. 4, 5, 8, and 9, the receiver component 114includes a spring 184 that applies a bias to the rotatable biased arm122 in direction A (FIG. 7) to bias the rotatable biased arm 136 to anormally-closed position such that the retention arm 138 extendsoutwardly through the passage 190 to block access with the channel 124of the rotatable biased arm 136. When the adapter component 116 isengaged to the receiver component 114 and the receiver component 114 isin the closed position the mounting bar 128 of the adapter component 116is prevented from disengagement from the rotatable biased arm 136 of theretention arm 138.

Referring to FIGS. 12-17, in some embodiments the adapter component 116may include a mounting body 126 configured to be mounted to the firstand second stays 112 and 113 of the dynamic load carriage apparatus 102(FIGS. 17-19), which is coupled to the protective vest 101 asillustrated in FIGS. 1 and 19. In some embodiments, the mounting body126 defines a middle portion 147 with a first end portion 148 and asecond end portion 150 formed on opposite respective sides of the middleportion 147. In some embodiments, the mounting bar 128 which extendsfrom the mounting body 126 may define a curved portion 191 formedbetween a first end 192 and a second end 193 that extend outwardly fromthe lower portion 141 of the mounting body 126. In some embodiments, thecurved portion 191 of the mounting bar 128 may define a slightly upwardcurve towards the mounting body 126 as illustrated in FIGS. 12 and 13,although in other embodiments the curved portion 191 of the mounting bar128 may curve slightly downward away from the mounting body 126. In someembodiments, the mounting bar 128 may be integral with the mounting body126, while in other embodiments the mounting bar 128 may be securelyattached to the lower portion 141 of the mounting body 126. As notedabove, the mounting bar 128 is configured to be mechanically coupled tothe locking mechanism 122 of the receiver component 114.

To engage the adapter component 116 to the receiver component 114, therotatable biased arm 136 is rotated in an opposite direction B to theopen position (FIG. 6) by overcoming the bias applied by the spring 184to the rotatable biased member 136 such that the retention arm 138becomes recessed within the passage 190 and does not block the channel124. When the rotatable biased arm 136 is rotated to the open position,the mounting bar 128 of the adapter component 116 may be inserted withinthe channel 124 and the rotatable biased arm 136 rotated in thedirection A to the normally-closed position (FIG. 7) that blocks thechannel 124 by the retention arm 138 and secures the adapter component116 to the receiver component 114.

As shown in FIG. 16-19, the first end portion 148 of the mounting body126 may define a first slot 158 configured to receive the second endportion 142 of the first stay 112, while the second end portion 150 ofthe mounting body 126 may define a second slot 160 configured to receivethe second end portion 144 of the second stay 113. A plurality ofopenings 167 are defined on opposite sides of each of the first andsecond end portions 148 and 150 of the mounting body 126 and communicatewith respective first and second slots 158 and 160. The plurality ofopenings 167 are configured to receive a respective securing member 165(FIG. 17) to secure the first and second stays 112 and 113 to respectivefirst and second end portions 148 and 150 of the mounting body 126.

In some embodiments, the universal adapter system 100 may interact withthe dynamic load carriage apparatus 102 as a means for compensating inany shift in load when the individual assumes a different body position.As shown in FIG. 20, the rotatable biased arm 136 may be in contact withthe curved portion 191 of the mounting bar 128 between the first andsecond ends 192 and 193 when there is no shift in load, such as when theindividual is stationary and/or in a substantially upright position. Asillustrated in FIG. 21, movement of the individual in a particulardirection and/or the individual assuming a particular body position thatcauses a shift in load may be compensated by the dynamic load carriageapparatus 102 through a sliding action of the mounting bar 128 indirection C along the channel 124 of the locking mechanism 122. Asillustrated in FIG. 22, movement of the individual in an oppositedirection or the individual assuming another body position that causes ashift in load that may also be compensated through a sliding action ofthe mounting bar 128 in an opposite direction D along the channel 124 ofthe locking mechanism 122. In this manner, any shift in load that occursis compensated through sliding action of the mounting bar 128 along thechannel 124 of the receiver component 114. In addition to a slidingaction that compensates for any shift in load when the individualassumes a different body position, the mounting bar 128 may also move ina twisting action relative to channel 124. In some embodiments, thetwisting and/or sliding actions of the mounting bar 128 may also resultin the mounting bar 128 becoming disengaged from the channel 124 of therotatable biased arm 136 of the receiver component 114. For example, asliding action where either the first or second ends 192 and 193 of themounting bar 128 contacts the channel 124 can cause the mounting bar 128to disengage from the rotatable biased arm 136.

In one aspect, as noted above the universal adapter system 100 allowsthe individual to either engage or disengage the adapter component 116from the receiver component 114 in a hand-free operation while wearingthe base belt 104 and protective vest 101. In another aspect, theuniversal adapter system 100 allows the individual to either engage ordisengage the adapter component 116 from the receiver component 114 in aone-handed operation while wearing the base belt 104 and protective vest101.

In one aspect of the universal adapter system 100, the individual mayeither engage or disengage the adapter component 116 from the receivercomponent 114 in a hands-free operation while the individual is wearingthe base belt 104 and the protective vest 101 is mounted to the basebelt 104. In another aspect, the universal adapter system 100 allows theindividual to engage or disengage the adapter component 116 from thereceiver component 114 in a one-handed operation by the individual whilethe individual is wearing the base belt 104 and the protective vest 101is mounted to the base belt 104.

In some embodiments, the universal adapter system 100 comprise modularcomponents that are secured to respective load bearing packs, dynamicload carriage apparatuses, protective vests, and tactical belts and maybe interchanged for other embodiments of the universal adapter systems100. In some embodiments, the universal adapter system 100 comprisesintegral components that are permanently engaged to respective loadbearing packs, dynamic load carriage apparatuses, protective vests, andtactical belts during manufacture.

It should be understood from the foregoing that, while particularembodiments have been illustrated and described, various modificationscan be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of theinvention as will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Such changesand modifications are within the scope and teachings of this inventionas defined in the claims appended hereto.

What is claimed is:
 1. A universal adapter system comprising: a receivercomponent comprising: a base portion configured to be coupled to a basebelt and a locking mechanism secured to the base portion, the lockingmechanism comprising a rotatable biased arm defining a channel and aretention arm in operative association with the rotatable biased arm,wherein the locking mechanism is rotatable between an open position thatallows access to the channel by the retention arm and a closed positionthat blocks access to the channel by the retention arm; and an adaptercomponent that is operative to be secured to the receiver component, theadapter component comprising: a mounting body configured to be coupledto a dynamic load carriage apparatus that compensates for shifting of aload associated with an individual; and a mounting bar extending fromthe mounting body and configured to be received within the channel ofthe rotatable biased arm, wherein a shift in load associated with anindividual causes a sliding action by the mounting bar relative to therotatable biased arm.
 2. The universal adapter system of claim 1,wherein the dynamic load carriage apparatus comprises a first stay and asecond stay in parallel orientation relative to each other, wherein thefirst stay and the second stay are operative to compensate for shiftingof the load associated with an individual.
 3. The universal adaptersystem of claim 2, wherein the mounting bar of the adapter componentcomprises a first end portion defining a first slot configured toreceive the first stay therein and a second end portion defining asecond slot configured to receive the second stay therein for engagingthe adapter component to the dynamic load carriage apparatus.
 4. Theuniversal adapter system of claim 3, wherein the first end portion ofthe mounting body defines a plurality of openings in communication withthe first slot configured to receive a respective securing member tosecure the first stay to the first end portion, and the second endportion of the mounting body defines a plurality of openings incommunication with the second slot configured to receive a respectivesecuring member to engage the second stay to the second end portion. 5.The universal adapter system of claim 1, wherein the mounting barcomprises a curved middle portion defined between a first end and asecond end of the mounting bar that collectively extend axially outwardrelative to the mounting body.
 6. The universal adapter system of claim5, wherein the curved middle portion of the mounting bar is mechanicallycoupled to the locking mechanism of the receiver component such that themounting bar is capable of a sliding action along the channel of thelocking mechanism in response to the shift in load.
 7. The universaladapter system of claim 1, wherein the rotatable biased arm comprises afirst raised portion and a second raised portion that collectivelydefine the channel, wherein the first raised portion defines a passagein perpendicular relation to the channel and configured to allow theretention arm to pass through when the locking mechanism is in theclosed position.
 8. The universal adapter system of claim 1, wherein thelocking mechanism comprises a spring in operative engagement with therotatable biased arm, wherein the spring applies a bias to maintain therotatable biased arm in the closed position.
 9. The universal adaptersystem of claim 1 wherein the rotatable biased arm comprises a rodmember that secures the rotatable biased arm to the base portion suchthat the rotatable biased arm rotates about a pivot point defined by therod member between the open and closed positions of the lockingmechanism.
 10. The universal adapter system of claim 2, wherein thefirst stay defines a first end portion coupled to the adapter componentand a second end portion secured to a protective vest and the secondstay defines a first end portion coupled to the adapter component and asecond end portion secured to the protective vest.
 11. The universaladapter system of claim 1, wherein the retention arm is in a fixedposition relative to the base portion of the receiver component when thelocking mechanism is in either the open or closed positions.
 12. Theuniversal adapter system of claim 1, wherein the closed position theretention arm extends through a passage defined by the rotatable biasedarm and blocks access to the channel when the locking mechanism is inthe closed position.
 13. The universal adapter system of claim 1,wherein base portion of the receiver component defines a middle armdefined between a first side arm and a second side arm.
 14. Theuniversal adapter system of claim 1, wherein the base portion isconfigured to receive a plate secured thereto, wherein the retention armextends outwardly from the plate and through the base portion.
 15. Theuniversal adapter system of claim 13, wherein the first side arm and thesecond side arm each define one or more retention portions configured tosecure the receiver component to the base belt.
 16. A universal adaptersystem comprising: a receiver component comprising: a base portionconfigured to be coupled to a base belt and a locking mechanism securedto the base portion, the locking mechanism comprising a rotatable biasedarm defining a channel and a retention arm in operative association withthe rotatable biased arm, wherein the locking mechanism is rotatablebetween an open position that allows access to the channel by theretention arm and a closed position that blocks access to the channel bythe retention arm; and an adapter component that is operative to besecured to the receiver component, the adapter component comprising: amounting body; and a mounting bar extending from the mounting body andconfigured to be received within the channel of the rotatable biasedarm, wherein a shift in load associated with an individual causes asliding action by the mounting bar along the channel of the lockingmechanism to compensate for a shifting of the load associated with theindividual.
 17. The universal adapter system of claim 13, wherein themounting body is configured to be engaged to a dynamic load carriageapparatus comprising a first stay and a second stay each of the firststay and the second stay having respective one end attached to aprotective vest and an opposite respective end attached to the mountingbody of the adapter component, wherein the dynamic load carriageapparatus compensates for shifting of a load associated with anindividual.
 18. A method of assembling a universal adapter systemcomprising: coupling a receiver component to a base belt configured tobe worn around the waist of an individual, the receiver componentcomprising: a base portion configured to be coupled to the base belt anda locking mechanism secured to the base portion, the locking mechanismcomprising a rotatable biased arm defining a channel and a retention armin operative association with the rotatable biased arm, wherein thelocking mechanism is rotatable between an open position that allowsaccess to the channel by the retention arm and a closed position thatblocks access to the channel by the retention arm; placing the lockingmechanism of the receiver component in the open position; engaging anadapter component to the locking mechanism of the receiver component,the adapter component comprising: a mounting body; and a mounting barextending from the mounting body, the mounting body being configured tobe received within the channel of rotatable biased arm, wherein a shiftin load associated with an individual causes a sliding action by themounting bar along the channel of the locking mechanism to compensatefor a shifting of the load associated with the individual; and placingthe locking mechanism of the receiver component in the closed position.19. The method of claim 18, further comprising: coupling the mountingbody of the adapter component to a dynamic load carriage apparatus, thedynamic load carriage apparatus comprising a first stay and a secondstay and the mounting body comprising a first end portion defining afirst slot configured to receive the first stay therein and a second endportion defining a second slot configured to receive the second staytherein when coupling the mounting body to the dynamic load carriageapparatus.
 20. The method of claim 19, further comprising: engaging ordisengaging the receiver component from the adapter component by anindividual wearing the base belt in a hands-free operation.